Jaxell Extra Fine Artists’ Pastels

Richard Suckling finds that Jaxell Extra Fine Artists’ Pastels offer a good spectrum of lightfast colours with good coverage at a very reasonable price

Richard Suckling

PRODUCT REPORT

I have a huge range of pastels in my studio, from the hardest to the very softest, in a vast range of colours and tones and I am in a position where I just buy new colours that catch my eye, or replace much loved ones that are running out. I must admit, though, that there are still occasions when a new set of pastels can tempt me – their luxurious wooden cases calling out to me to part with not inconsiderable amounts of my hardearned cash!

About The Artist

Welcome to our summer issue packed with ideas and tips for painting outside, including Paul Weaver's demonstration showing how to capture the spirit of the seaside in watercolour. Watercolourists will also love Paul Talbot-Greaves' focus on how to use neutral and dark colours to add impact to your paintings, Julie Collins' advice on using ultramarine blue, and our review of the fabulous exhibition of John Singer Sargent's watercolours at Dulwich Picture Gallery. There are inspirational features on mastering perspective, capturing a likeness of a family member in oils, painting the figure alla prima, how to create movement in wildlife paintings in acrylics, and why you should consider the use of digital technology to support your traditional painting methods. Our artists also share their views on the new Winsor & Newton professional canvases and Jaxell's extra fine pastels, while our cover artist, Eileen Cooper OBE, RA talks about her own work, as well as the organisation and decision making behind this year's Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. All this and much more to inspire a summer of successful drawing and painting!